What is asthma?
Asthma is a very common inflammatory disease in childhood and adolescence. It is due to a narrowing of the bronchi, which makes it difficult for air to escape during the act of exhaling (air leaving the lungs).
What are the most common symptoms of asthma in children?
In general, a child may have coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath. Symptoms can be different from child to child, and vary throughout life, and may only appear at night or during physical exercise.
Many children stop having symptoms between the ages of 3 and 5.
How is the disease diagnosed?
Usually after the third episode of the symptoms described, the child is said to have asthma. The diagnosis is made by the symptoms and observation of the child.
From the age of 6, respiratory function tests (tests that are intended to assess the capacity of the respiratory system) contribute to the diagnosis.
How serious is asthma?
Asthma can be serious if it is not properly controlled. To do this, the child must comply with the assigned treatment. It is also important to record the seizures you have and the medication taken, and then inform the attending physician. This process is essential to verify that the medication is being carried out properly.
What can trigger an asthma episode?
There are several factors that can trigger a crisis. The most frequent are:
- respiratory infections caused by viruses
- physical exercise (especially running in the cold air)
- allergens such as house dust mites or pollen
- environmental factors such as tobacco smoke
How can I prevent seizures?
One of the most effective ways to prevent seizures is not to expose the child to factors that can trigger a seizure. For example, exposure to:
- Tobacco smoke
- allergens such as dust mites or house dust
- animal, if the child is allergic, avoid contact with the animal.
Can asthma be associated with other diseases?
yes. Asthma can be associated with diseases such as atopic eczema, rhinitis and other allergies. Often one parent/sibling has at least one of these diseases.
What are the consequences of asthma?
Asthma can have serious consequences if left unchecked. Hence the insistence on maintaining adequate therapy to control the disease and crises. With the right medication, asthma should not have serious consequences.
Is asthma treatable?
yes. The treatment of asthma in children is done with medications similar to those in adults.
Is the treatment curative or preventive?
Asthma has no cure, so the goal of treatment is for asthma to be controlled, with no symptoms and no limitations on day-to-day activities.
There are two main groups of medicines:
- Treatment of seizures: used for symptom relief. They should accompany the child to use at any time when symptoms arise
- Prevention of flare-ups: they should be used daily to control inflammation. Not all children need this group of medicines
Depending on the state of asthma control, the doctor will decide what type of medication the child needs.
Is it possible for a child with asthma to maintain a normal life?
yes. As long as they comply with the treatment instituted by the attending physician, children with asthma can have a normal life.